To gain insights into preservice teachers' growing capacity to be exploring, reflective practitioners, portfolio assessment is being adopted in some teacher education programs. The teacher as reflective practitioner and portfolio assessment became the foundations of one Carnegie-I research university's four-phase secondary education program.…

This policy report focuses on the tensions and dilemmas surrounding one of the most common milestones used for defining and measuring English Learners' (ELs) progress: their redesignation or reclassification from limited to fluent English proficient (FEP). Although reclassification can have important consequences for students and for the education…

For too long New York City's high schools have not prepared even a majority of students for graduation. There is no single solution to the problems confronting the city's schools, but the city needs to do better--and it can. Over the past several years, New York City has undertaken a far-reaching process of education reform. This report describes…

A model for evaluation of liberal arts programs is proposed, based on a study of liberal arts in 14 diverse institutions. It takes a developmental perspective, emphasizing process as well as product, description as well as analysis, clarification of terms before measurement, and collaboration of evaluators and participants. (MSE)

Participant observation of an innovative art teacher's classroom technique suggested that, despite his popularity with students, this teacher did not fully engage his students' attention. His attempt at using cognitive dissonance to bring about attitudinal change in the classroom left many students baffled despite the effort expended to involve…

Contains 11 articles about educational testing focused on the topics of guidance and information management, student achievement, mathematics teaching/learning, test score interpretation, alternatives to standardized testing, evaluation of multicultural and exceptional children, learning/cognitive training assessment models, and "blue…

The use of grade equivalent scores contrasted against grade placement is widespread in the diagnosis of dyslexia and other reading disabilities. Discusses difficulties and distortions of this method. Presents an alternative method for reliably determining aptitude/achievement discrepancies. (Author)

Presents a contingency model for decision making with regard to needs analysis methods. Focus is on 12 methods with brief discussion of their defining characteristics and some operational guidelines for their use. (JOW)

Aimed at maximizing the positive potential of a multicultural classroom and improving intergroup relations, three behavioral and three attitudinal objectives, with suggested programs and evaluative measures, are presented. (NEC)

Compares two studies which assessed teacher attitudes and beliefs toward nutrition education. Includes background information, development of instruments, methodology, and findings. (DS)

In order to evaluate the clinical competencies of graduate pharmacy students upon the completion of a medicine rotation, an oral examination has been developed that requires students to present data and defend decisions. Objectives, responsibilities, and competencies required by the rotation and nine sample exam questions are appended. (JMD)

Thirteen evaluation methods are analyzed by orientation. Typically, clients want politically advantageous studies; evaluators prefer questions-oriented studies; audiences favor a values orientation. Evaluators must recognize the narrow scope of question-oriented studies and the perspectives of client and audience. (CP)

Evaluation of nontraditional educational programs and individual achievement is discussed in terms of three components: process-environment, objectives, and evaluation. The combinations of these components in traditional and nontraditional orientations are each presented and examined as possible models for measurement of educational outcomes. (JMF)

Monitoring educational change is seen as a critical problem for regional accrediting commissions. The response by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association to the problem is described, and procedures to validate educational quality in off-campus programs and sequential evaluation are discussed. (MLW)

Examines the national status of community college program approval procedures as revealed by a survey of community college coordinators in 42 states, and presents an analysis of attitudes of chief academic officers in New Jersey where the question of program approval and regionalization is being investigated. (AYC)